In celebration of my 24 years of existence and Sam’s 25th, we toured the city named Manila.

Going back to the olden times. Exploring the Intramuros and the Extramuros.

Rode the kalesa. I asked the not-so friendly kutsero a few questions.

Correspondent: Ilang taon na po kayo sa trabahong ito?

Not-so friendly kutsero: Thirty years na din.

Correspondent: Tagal na din pala. Anu pong pangalan nung kabayo nio?

Not-so friendly kutsero: Richard.

Correspondent: Anna? Richard daw. Nagpaalam ka ba ng maayos kase?

Bananay: (Tawa na lang ng tawa. Di na makausap ng maayos.)

Visited the Rizal Shrine. I enjoyed going through every room of this museum. As far as I remember, the last time I have been to this place was when I was in my 6th year in elementary. It’s a free trip given to those students who aced the periodicals. Maybe that should explain the affinity to this place.

Philipine history is my best subject. I still remember my grade 5 teacher patiently writing facts about the life of Rizal on the board, information lacking in our textbook. She said she was giving us facts that a first year high school student should know. That excited me really. I was supposed to join the inter-school History Quiz Bee, but luck failed to come to me at that time, I was instead transferred to a group of students to represent our school in a Math Quiz Bee.

In Rizal Shrine, I particularly like the empty room adorned only by the writings on the wooden floor.

Lunchtime, we headed to Manila’s Chinatown to eat. We dined at Mandarin’s Seafood Restaurant. We were so full. There is enough food for an army of 12.

The infamous Quiapo (DVD), according to GoogleMaps.

While waiting for the train at Carriedo Station

Girl talk at MOA Bayside

It’s a tiring yet fun day.

I should go back to Binondo for another food trip and to buy me a traveler souvenir bracelet.

This is a visit to Khao Pad, formerly known as the U.P. Thai Canteen, located near Home Depot at Julia Vargas Avenue in Ortigas, our first food place to set foot on in a gastronomic journey throughout the metro.

Pad Thai. It’s difficult, almost a torture, to write about food this good.

Khao Pad. As opposed to what the ordertaker says, one serving is good enough for two persons.

One reason that I should go back, I think, to Khao Pad is their chicken pandan. Its every bite is flavorful.

Thai Noodles. If served with chili while hot — I haven’t done this as my empty stomach

prevented me from thinking straight — I think it will be delicious.

This is where my journey as a food traveler begins. Dream on, lady! Haha.

Restaurant interiors

We never got a photo taken with Mommy Thai, the store owner. I had a chance to talk to her, say that the food they offer is delicious, but what brilliance, I never thought of having a panoramic moment with her. Oh, there’s always a next time.

The complete story about dining at Khao Pad I shall post soon, hopefully on a separate food blog.

I first saw him in Hwang-Jini. I thought this boy is cute. Then a friend, after many months, told me to watch Han Gil Dong, if I may recall, after she learned that I heart Hwang Jini’s lover. I tried to open it in Mysoju but I find the drama too long, so I discarded the idea of even watching an episode of it. “Okay, my friend told me, “Then watch Beethoven Virus. Surely you would like it. It’s based from Nodame Cantabile, which I know you LIKE!” And I began watching it up until the fourth episode. I’ve still got to find a copy of it to watch it fully — but it is not yet finished. The drama is still on its 11th episode out of I think 16 or 17. Watching it in Mysoju by parts makes it less enjoyable and tiring. He is a Man there, and he’s, what, I can’t even think of an apt adjective for him. Now, I’m hallucinating and dreaming of him MORE after I’ve watched DO RE MI FA SO LA SI DO. Oh, Jang Geun Suk!!! +)

Here’s a video of him from a Korean sitcom. If he’s got a sister, he’ll look like this. SO CUUTEE!!

I thought of watching just up to five episodes, which every episode runs for 40 to 45 minutes, bearing in mind that I had Miko Ezekiel’s christening party that I needed to attend the following morning. But rather, I saw myself sitting on a hard chair like an owl waiting for food in a span of ten hours; that is, from 8:00 p.m. till 6 a.m., watching Nodame Cantabile. Gyoba!! I LOVE IT!!

“Based on the hit comic book by Tomoko Ninomiya, this is a fun-filled quirky romantic story of two very opposite people.

Megumi Noda, or “Nodame” is a piano student at Momogaoka College of Music. An extremely talented pianist who wants to be a kindergarten teacher, she prefers playing by ear rather than reading the music score. She is messy and disorganized, takes baths several days apart and loves to eat, sometimes stealing her friend’s lunchbox when it is filled with delicacies.

Shinichi Chiaki, is Momogaoka’s top student. Born into a musical family, he is talented in piano and violin and has secret ambitions to become a conductor. An arrogant multi-lingual perfectionist who once lived abroad in the music capitals of the world as a young boy, he feels mired in Japan because of a childhood phobia.

They meet by accident. Nodame quickly falls in love, but it takes much longer for Chiaki to even begin to appreciate Nodame’s unusual qualities. Their relationship causes them both to develop and grow. Because of Nodame, Chiaki got the opportunity to lead a student orchestra and begins to have a broader appreciation of people’s musical abilities. Because of Chiaki, Nodame faces her fears and enters a piano competition. Opportunities open up as both begin taking risks, stretching themselves far more than they ever thought possible.”

It caused me an interest to take timpani, kontrabass, horn, oboe, clarinet, violin and particularly piano lessons. I wanted to play the piano, though, even before I watched this drama. Hugh Laurie made me want to do that. <Blink>

I fall asleep around 6:00 a.m., woke up past 9:00 to get to the party in time — that I was not really sure. Lemme think again. But there was more to watch, the Nodame special, which runs approximately four hours. I was more than determined to finish that. Finally, they were in Praha to watch Viera-sensei conduct and then headed to Paris where Nodame got a scholarship to study music.

I arrived home around 3:00 in the afternoon. I was just relieved having gone home because the near drunkards at the party wanted to share tables, which is quite irritating, at least for me. I am not used to such “socialization,” I guess. I managed to sneak my brother’s laptop from his room and then started watching. My mother, who acted like a villain to my finish-nodame-cantabile-special endeavour, said, “Matulog ka muna! Di ka ba inaantok?!” I just nodded a no.

The whole time I was waiting for the story to focus on Nodame. I would want to see her perform the piano not the sloppy way. Then, near the end, her first recital was announced, Mozart being the main theme. I enjoyed watching that, and to start off with Mozart’s Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star is just mere brilliance. <Hehehe.> I just thought it fits her character, which I very much like.

The Fart Exercise, I was listening to that several times in a day immediately after I received Nodame’s soundtrack from Ana. It’s a children song composed, arranged, and sang by Nodame whose first dream is to be a kindergarten teacher. >> “Let’s emit a good sound, energetically emitted. Do re mi fa PU PU PU, waah!”

Like before, I have screenshots!! Hurrah!!

Chiaki, as she said, it’s cream soup. Believe her for Mozart’s sake.

Puri Gorota!

Coalpit Mackerel, which she cooked for Chiaki. How sweet!

You’re Jackie Chan, not Stresseman, admit it and don’t lure Nodame to go to One More Kiss!

I can’t help but laugh seeing this photo!

Dreaming of Senpai!

I would want, too!

Masumi, such a kawaii!!

You really look like Toma Ikuta.

S-Oke unite!

Nakao (It’s his name in Hana Kimi) and Masumi quarreling over the senpai they admire.